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Molecules 2019 Apr 17;24(8). Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Medical Academy named after S.I. Georgievsky, V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Lenin Boulevard 5/7, 295051 Simferopol, Crimea.

Skin cancer has always been and remains the leader among all tumors in terms of occurrence. One of the main factors responsible for skin cancer, natural and artificial UV radiation, causes the mutations that transform healthy cells into cancer cells. These mutations inactivate apoptosis, an event required to avoid the malignant transformation of healthy cells. Read More

Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Department of Dermatology, University Clinic Essen, Essen, Germany.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer in which PD-1/PD-L1 blockade has shown remarkable response rates. However, a significant proportion of patients shows primary or secondary resistance against PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition, with HLA class-I downregulation and insufficient influx of CD8 T cells into the tumor as possible immune escape mechanisms. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have been demonstrated to reverse low HLA class-I expression caused by epigenetic downregulation of the antigen machinery (APM) in vitro and in pre-clinical models in vivo. Read More

CPT Pharmacometrics Syst Pharmacol 2019 Apr 13. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Avelumab, a human anti-PD-L1 IgG1 antibody, has shown efficacy and manageable safety in multiple tumors. A two-compartment population pharmacokinetic model for avelumab, incorporating intrinsic and extrinsic covariates and time-varying clearance (CL), was identified based on data from 1827 patients across 3 clinical studies. Of 14 tumor types, a decrease in CL over time was more notable in metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, which had maximum decreases of 32. Read More

Mod Pathol 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Section of Anatomic Pathology "M. Malpighi", Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy.

Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive neuroendocrine skin tumor, for which several non-conclusive prognostic factors of adverse clinical behavior have been reported. As promoter methylation of the immune checkpoint receptor CD279/PD-1/PDCD1(mPDCD1) has been shown to be a prognostic factor in different cancers, we investigated its role in Merkel cell carcinoma. mPDCD1was assessed retrospectively in a cohort of 69 Merkel cell carcinoma patients from the University of Bologna, University of Turin and University of Insubria. Read More

Ear Nose Throat J 2019 Apr 11:145561319838884. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

1 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.

ANZ J Surg 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of General Surgery, North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.

Gynecol Oncol Rep 2019 May 20;28:76-78. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hospital Grabs, Spitalstrasse 44, CH-9472 Grabs, Switzerland.

Introduction: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous malignancy that normally occurs in sun-exposed areas of the skin. Risk factors are immundeficency and Merkel cell polyomavirus.Treatment options are surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy in clinical trials. Read More

Oncologist 2019 Apr 8. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Medical Oncology Department, University General Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive, primary cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor that typically presents as an indurated nodule on sun-exposed areas of the head and neck in the white population. Major risk factors include immunosuppression, UV light exposure, and advanced age. Up to 80% of MCC are associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2019 Apr 5. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, España.

Background And Objective: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive skin cancer that is managed in a great variety of ways. However, international clinical practice guidelines give only partial coverage to issues considered major problems.The recommendations presented here aim to provide Spanish dermatologists with a guide to improving disputed aspects of diagnosis, staging, and treatment of localized Merkel cell carcinomas. Read More

ANZ J Surg 2019 Apr 8. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive cutaneous malignancy with a propensity to metastasize to regional lymph nodes. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with clinically node-negative MCC has been utilized to identify patients with subclinical nodal metastases. This study aims to review the accuracy of SLNB in MCC and to evaluate the impact of SLNB on management. Read More

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019 May;374(1773):20180301

1 Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR 1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes , 44093 Nantes cedex 01 , France.

Human polyomaviruses show relatively little genetic polymorphism between isolates, indicating that these viruses are genetically stable between hosts. However, it has become increasingly clear that intra-host molecular evolution is a feature of some polyomavirus (PyV) infections in humans. Mutations inducing premature stop codons in the early region of the integrated Merkel cell PyV genome lead to the expression of a truncated form of the large tumour (LT) antigen that is critical for the transformation of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) cells. Read More

Cytopathology 2019 Apr 6. Epub 2019 Apr 6.

Department of Cytology and Gynecologic Pathology.

A 55 year female presented with a recurrent hard, fixed, ulcerated swelling measuring 2.5 x 2.2x 2 cm over left dorsum of hand in web space at level of third and fourth metacarpals (figure 1a). Read More

Cancer Med 2019 Apr 5. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.

Background: There are limited data on the travel burden for cancer patients with rare tumor types, such as Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).

Objective: The objective of this study was to understand the travel burden of MCC patients.

Methods: This study used data from an MCC registry at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). Read More

Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 2018 Oct 26;31(4):522-523. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Department of General Surgery, Baylor University Medical CenterDallasTexas.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a highly aggressive skin neuroendocrine tumor with early malignant potential. Metastasis was previously considered a sign of unresectability and short life expectancy. This report describes an isolated metastasis to the liver from Merkel cell carcinoma of the left frontotemporal area and an effective treatment that may meaningfully prolong life. Read More

J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2019 Jan-Dec;7:2324709619836695

1 Brookdale University Hospitals and Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, rapidly growing, aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer that generally arises on sun-exposed areas of body such as head, neck, upper limbs, and shoulders of people with light complexity. Typically, MCC presents as shiny, flesh-colored or bluish-red, intracutaneous nodule, possibly with ulceration or crusting. In most of the cases, there is an association with Merkel cell polyomavirus. Read More

Australas J Dermatol 2019 Mar 31. Epub 2019 Mar 31.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The global incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer continues to increase as the global population ages with the highest incidence in the world occurring in Australian and New Zealand patients. There are numerous treatment options available for non-melanoma skin cancer patients of which radiotherapy is an efficacious and versatile tissue preserving non-surgical (or medical) option. In patients where excision may not be an option (medically/technically inoperable) or considered less ideal (e. Read More

Pract Radiat Oncol 2019 Mar 26. Epub 2019 Mar 26.

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Louisville Hospital, Louisville, KY USA.

Objective(s): To determine the impact of time to initiation (TTI) of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) on overall survival (OS) for patients with stage I or II Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).

Methods: The NCDB was queried for patients with MCC of the head and neck, trunk or extremities diagnosed from 2006 to 2014. Patients who did not undergo resection or who did not receive adjuvant RT within 180 days of surgery were excluded. Read More

Health Qual Life Outcomes 2019 Mar 27;17(1):52. Epub 2019 Mar 27.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

. Read More

Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2019 Mar;54(3):211-213

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen 518020, China.

Am J Dermatopathol 2019 Mar 11. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Dermatopatology Unit, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 Mar 19. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Department of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. Electronic address:

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive malignancy, with high rates of recurrence and metastasis.

Objective: To evaluate predictors of sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity in Merkel cell carcinoma using the National Cancer Database (NCDB).

Methods: The NCDB, from 2012-2014, was used to identify 3,048 patients with MCC of which 1,174 received a SLN biopsy (SLNB). Read More

Australas J Dermatol 2019 Mar 21. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Auckland Regional Plastic, Reconstructive & Hand Surgery Unit, Auckland, New Zealand.

Background/objectives: Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer. Australian studies report high incidence and poor survival rates compared internationally. While New Zealand has a comparable UV index and racial composition to Australia, survival outcomes are currently unknown. Read More

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2019 Mar 20:1-9. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Department of Chest Disease, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey,

Background: Rapid drug desensitization (RDD) induces a temporary tolerance to chemotherapeutics that induce hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs).

Purpose: Our objective is to report our experience with RDD to platins, taxanes, etoposide, doxorubicin, and irinotecan.

Methods: The study was conducted as a retrospective chart review of patients with symptoms of HSRs to chemotherapeutics. Read More

Am J Otolaryngol 2019 Mar 9. Epub 2019 Mar 9.

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 21151 Pomerantz Family Pavilion, 200 Hawkins Drive, 52240, Iowa City, IA, USA.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a neuroendocrine cutaneous malignancy that may present as metastatic disease without a known primary site but, most commonly originates in the sun-exposed skin of the head, neck, and extremities. We present a 66-year-old male treated with chemo-radiation for T3N2cM0 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCCa) six years before he was diagnosed with MCC isolated to the radiated laryngopharynx. Mucosal MCC is rare and radiation-induced MCC has been hypothesized to occur in previously radiated tissue but, never before to the laryngopharynx. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 Apr;80(4):1154-1156

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Atlanta, Georgia.

Int J Cancer 2019 Mar 15. Epub 2019 Mar 15.

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), an aggressive neuroendocrine skin tumor, is a polyomavirus-induced human cancer. To study the causal relationship of MCC carcinogenesis with the integrated Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) in detail, well-characterized MCC cell lines are needed. Consequently, in the current study, we established and characterized six MCPyV-positive MCC cell lines. Read More

Surv Ophthalmol 2019 Mar 11. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA; Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. Electronic address:

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive tumor of both epithelial and neuroendocrine origin that carries a mortality rate of up to 40%. MCC tumors typically present as painless, expanding nodules on the sun-exposed skin areas of older, white patients. Eyelid and periocular tumors comprise approximately 2. Read More

Dermatol Online J 2019 02 15;25(2). Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Lucy Curci Cancer Center, Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) usually arises in sun-exposed areas of older patients and might be more aggressive in the immunocompromised. We performed a retrospective chart review of 40 consecutive MCC patients treated at our institution between the years 2006-2017. Clinical and epidemiologic data were utilized and therapy and survival were analyzed. Read More

J Craniofac Surg 2019 Mar 6. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare malignant tumor with a neuroendocrine phenotype. The authors report a case of MCC of the left cheek region in an 85-year-old Caucasian woman who also received sentinel node biopsy using both Technectium-99m-labeled (99mTc) lymphoscintigraphy and indocyanine green lymphography. Read More

Onco Targets Ther 2019 19;12:1395-1400. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Department of Radiotherapy Oncology, Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, The Zhuji Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhuji, Zhejiang 311800, China,

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin malignancy that has a propensity for local recurrence and metastasis to the lymph nodes. In this case report, we discuss a 54-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had received treatment with prednisone (15 mg/day) for symptom relief and management. The patient visited our hospital with complaints of a nodule in right preauricular area. Read More

J Dermatol 2019 Mar 12. Epub 2019 Mar 12.

Department of Dermatology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Mar 9;12(3). Epub 2019 Mar 9.

Médecine Nucléaire et Imagerie Moléculaire, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Semin Radiat Oncol 2019 04;29(2):171-179

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Electronic address:

The two types of nonmelanoma skin cancer most apt to metastasize to lymph nodes are cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. The clinical impact of nodal metastases of these cancers is substantial, resulting in intensification of treatment and morbidity and worsened cancer outcomes. Exact best practices are challenging to define as many specific clinical scenarios remain incompletely catalogued, characterized, or studied. Read More

JAMA Dermatol 2019 Mar 2. Epub 2019 Mar 2.

Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.

Importance: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) carries the highest mortality rate among cutaneous cancers and is rapidly rising in incidence. Identification of prognostic indicators may help guide patient counseling and treatment planning. Lymph node ratio (LNR), the ratio of positive lymph nodes to the total number of examined lymph nodes, is an established prognostic indicator in other cancers. Read More

Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2019 Feb 28. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico, Naples, Italy.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but highly aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer whose incidence has almost doubled in recent decades. Risk factors for MCC include age > 65 years, immunosuppression, sun exposure and infection by Merkel cell polyomavirus. MCC usually presents as rapidly growing, firm, red to violaceous nodule localized on the sun-exposed skin. Read More

Microsurgery 2019 Feb 27. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

Background: Lower extremity reconstruction is challenging because of the need to restore form and function. Despite the many options for soft-tissue coverage, little research has addressed combined tendon and soft-tissue reconstitution. We present a series of patients undergoing lower extremity tendon reconstruction and wound coverage with a single free gracilis flap and its tendon. Read More

J Dermatol 2019 Feb 27. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Department of Dermatology, Kansai Medical University Medical Center, Osaka, Japan.

A 65-year-old Japanese man presented with a dome-shaped nodule, the base of which was contiguous with a dull brown plaque, on the left leg. After local excision of the cutaneous lesion and left inguinal lymph node dissection, several dermal and subcutaneous nodules developed successively on the left lower extremity. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of the primary cutaneous lesion demonstrated uniform neoplastic cells arranged in a trabecular pattern extending from the dermis to subcutis. Read More

Clin Cancer Res 2019 Feb 26. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

Department of Pathology, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous malignancy whose pathogenesis and prognosis are related to the integrity of the host immune system. Despite promising clinical responses to immune-checkpoint blockade, response and resistance remain unpredictable, underscoring a critical need to delineate novel prognostic biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for this disease. Expression of immune-regulatory markers (PD-L2, B7-H3, B7-H4, IDO-1, ICOS, TIM3, LAG3, VISTA, and OX-40) was assessed using singlet chromogenic IHC in 10 primary MCCs. Read More

Eur J Surg Oncol 2019 Feb 16. Epub 2019 Feb 16.

Department of Surgical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

J Dermatol 2019 Feb 25. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Department of Dermatology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.

J Vis Exp 2019 Feb 7(144). Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania;

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) infection can lead to Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a highly aggressive form of skin cancer. Mechanistic studies to fully investigate MCPyV molecular biology and oncogenic mechanisms have been hampered by a lack of adequate cell culture models. Here, we describe a set of protocols for performing and detecting MCPyV infection of primary human skin cells. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella, Málaga, España.

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Servicio de Dermatología, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, Valencia, España. Electronic address:

Neoplasia 2019 03 21;21(3):322-330. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address:

Studies on the efficacy of small molecule inhibitors in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) have been limited and largely inconclusive. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of a potent BET degrader, BETd-246, in the treatment of MCC. We found that MCC cell lines were significantly more sensitive to BETd-246 than to BET inhibitor treatment. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Feb 21;12(2). Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Medical Oncology, Hospital Distrital De Santarem Epe, Santarem, Santarém, Portugal.

The authors present the case of a woman in the seventh decade of life with medical history of: left nephrectomy for renal tuberculosis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with chemotherapy (QT) and radiotherapy. She presented with a 2-month history of non-tender, left inguinal lymph node enlargement. Positron Emission Tomography (PET)CT -scanshowed hypermetabolic inguinal and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathies, no primary tumour. Read More

Am J Clin Dermatol 2019 Feb 19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Dermatology Department, University Hospital of Tours, Avenue de la République, 37170, Chambray-les-Tours, France.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer. Until 2017, patients with advanced disease were typically treated with conventional chemotherapies, with a median response duration of 3 months. Increased evidence of the role of the immune system in controlling this cancer has paved the way for immune-based therapies, with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors at the frontline. Read More

Virchows Arch 2019 Apr 12;474(4):421-432. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Unit of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - "Fondazione G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy.

Several researches have been carried over the last few decades to understand of how cancer evades the immune system and thus to identify therapies that could directly act on patient's immune system in the way of restore or induce a response to cancer. As a consequence, "cancer immunotherapy" is conquering predominantly the modern scenario of the fight against cancer. The recent clinical success of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has created an entire new class of anti-cancer drugs and restored interest in the field of immuno-oncology, leading to regulatory approvals of several agents for the treatment of a variety of malignancies. Read More